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How Did the 747 Get Its Iconic Hump? You Can Thank Pan Am for That

June 09, 2019
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3 min read
KLM Jumbo Jet Boeing 747
How Did the 747 Get Its Iconic Hump? You Can Thank Pan Am for That
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The 747, affectionately referred to as "the queen of the skies," is one of the most recognizable planes in history thanks to its second deck. Unfortunately, the 747 is nearing the end of its life span, with airlines around the world retiring older 747-400 models and only a few opting to purchase the next generation 747-8.

The 747-8 has given new life to the iconic jumbo jet

We celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 747 earlier this year, and while the plane has been around for a long time, you still might be surprised to learn the story behind how the plane got it signature hump.

How The 747 Got Its Hump

When the 747 entered service in 1970, it was a revolutionary plane. However, there were plenty of airline executives who were skeptical about the commercial viability of such a large jet. The launch customer of the 747 was scheduled to be Pan American World Airways, which would go on to operate almost 75 747s. Pan Am's founder, Juan Trippe, wasn't convinced the 747 would work solely as a passenger plane, so he insisted to Boeing that the plane be readily convertible between a passenger and cargo configuration, which required that the nose cone be hinged so it could swing open.

Cargolux Italia Boeing 747-400F Nose Opening
(Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

This in turn created a real problem in terms of where to put the cockpit. Having the cockpit on a hinged nose carried a number of safety risks, and it made no sense to bend all the wires to and from the cockpit each time the nose was opened and closed. Boeing decided to raise the cockpit above the nose cone, and — in order to maximize the planes aerodynamic efficiency — the hump was born. Later versions of the 747 would extend the hump further back on the plane, creating more room for premium cabin seats in the upper deck.

Business class on the upper deck of British Airway's 747-400s.

Of course Juan Trippe was wrong, and the 747 ended up being a resounding success, with over 1,500 produced in the last 50 years. Many airlines choose to operate both passenger and cargo versions of the plane, but you might even find a hybrid 747 still flying today. KLM operates a number of 747 Combis, though instead of unhinging the nose cone, they've converted the rear of the plane into an additional cargo hold. This plane seats a maximum of 268 passengers, as opposed to 408 on KLM's passenger-only version.

KLM 747 Combi Cargo loading
(Photo by FrankvandenBergh/Getty Images)

If the Queen of the Skies is still on your bucket list, you can still catch a ride on this aviation legend using points or miles. You might want to book that trip sooner rather than later, however, as airlines retire their fleet of 747s.

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Featured image by NurPhoto via Getty Images

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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